Baby Got Back: Why Big Butts Have Become the Ultimate Celebrity Obsession (14 Photos)
Wide hips have always been a hallmark of femininity and sex appeal. In October 2013, Kim Kardashian practically broke the internet with her sizzling swimsuit "belfie." Since then, voluptuous booties have become more sought-after than ever, and this sultry trend shows no signs of fading. Scientists have finally uncovered why we are so captivated by fuller figures. Read on to discover the secret behind the enduring appeal of the big booty. 
These days, nearly every celebrity shows off their curves on social media with rear-view photos. Ever since Kim Kardashian popularized the "belfie," influencers and starlets haven't stopped flooding Instagram with jaw-dropping back shots. 
The hourglass figure wasn't always the gold standard. The 1980s were defined by big busts, while the 1990s belonged to the waifish, ultra-skinny look. 
Yet today, we find ourselves admiring full-figured silhouettes just as our ancestors did centuries ago. Science even backs up why men are drawn to prominent backsides. In his seminal 1967 book *The Naked Ape*, zoologist Desmond Morris explained that in the earliest stages of human evolution, our primate ancestors used the rear as an unmistakable sexual signal indicating readiness to mate. 
Morris notes that once primates began walking upright, buttocks lost some of their function as a primary mating signal. Over time, face-to-face interaction took precedence over purely physical cues. Intimacy became more personal, leading our ancestors to form pair bonds and stay together long-term. 
Even so, primitive instincts remain hardwired in our DNA. A rounded female backside still commands male attention. 
Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and countless other stars continue to flaunt their famous curves on social media. Their fuller hips have become iconic trademarks, adored by millions of fans worldwide. 
Social historian Myra Mendible explains that standards of female beauty have always mirrored the values and aspirations of society. For instance, capitalist nations historically favored a leaner, more muscular aesthetic, whereas developing cultures prized fuller hips and larger bottoms as signs of health, vitality, and fertility. 
In Brazil, the obsession runs so deep that there's an annual "Miss BumBum" pageant dedicated to crowning the country's best derriere. Last year's title went to Erika Canela, whose hips boast a stunning 42-inch (107 cm) measurement. 
Some women go under the knife to achieve that coveted silhouette. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the popularity of Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures skyrocketed by 252% between 2000 and 2015. During the surgery, doctors harvest fat from other areas of the body and inject it directly into the buttocks. 
Silicone buttock implants have also surged in popularity, with demand climbing by 36%. 
Enhancing one's backside is hardly a modern invention. Zoologist Morris pointed out that Victorian women wore bustles—structured undergarments worn beneath full dresses—specifically to accentuate their curves and create the illusion of a fuller rear. 
Tragically, the quest for the perfect body can turn deadly. In 2011, British student Claudia Aderotimi passed away following illicit silicone injections. The young woman had traveled to Philadelphia for the procedure, only to suffer severe chest pains and breathing complications shortly afterward. She died soon after. 
For those who want to skip the risks of surgery, safer options exist—such as padded shapewear designed to instantly create the look of a fuller, perkier behind. 
Author Hans-Jürgen Döpp observes that throughout fashion history, eras that celebrate slender figures have consistently alternated with eras that worship lush, sensual curves. Right now, we're living in a golden age of the big booty.
Take Jemma Gilsenan, who regularly relies on cosmetic treatments and plastic surgery to keep her looks in peak shape. She underwent a Brazilian Butt Lift simply to feel confident and keep up when hanging out with her daughter and her friends.
